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Community Connections

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Young girls in blue %22DERBY%22 jerseys high-five a line of younger children in a gymnasium with a %22DERBY%22 banner overhead.

 

Close, meaningful relationships between students, faculty, and our community are a cornerstone of the Derby experience. 

When these bonds thrive, students are more engaged, achieve at higher levels, and find greater joy in learning. We value our close-knit community and strive to create events and activities that foster connections between students, students and teachers, and families.

 

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Pals

Mentors for our youngest, inspiration for our oldest.

Pals is our cross-grade, peer mentorship program that encourages older students to lead as role models, while being inspired by the imagination and joy of younger students. 

Through monthly theme-based projects, Pals brings students together across divisions, fostering collaboration and the development of meaningful relationships. 

Two smiling girls, one older and one younger, are in the foreground, while a large crowd of people sits on the floor in the background of a gymnasium.
In the foreground, students are gathered around a table with papers and beakers, while in the background, two boys engage in a discussion near a whiteboard.
Two young girls in the foreground are engaged in a craft project at their desks, while other students and classroom elements fill the background.
Two smiling girls, one holding the other, stand in front of a building with trees and sunlight in the background.
Two smiling young boys sit on a large blue beanbag in the foreground, with bookshelves filled with books and storage bins in the background.
Five smiling children are gathered around a table with art supplies in a classroom with colorful decorations.
Two children in the foreground are engaged in an art project at a table, while in the background, a classroom environment with educational materials is visible.
Four smiling children stand in the foreground holding a cloud-shaped craft with rainbow-colored strips, while a wall decorated with astronaut cutouts is visible in the background.
Children are gathered around a table in the foreground, drawing and coloring, while other students and classroom materials are visible in the blurred background.
Three smiling boys in the foreground hold up a %22Thankful Tree%22 craft, while a classroom with other students and desks is visible in the background.
A young person plays a large brass instrument in the foreground, while another person sits with sheet music in the background, near a drum set and large windows.

Student & Family Events

Our Lower School hosts a variety of family events throughout the year designed to build a strong sense of community. Recent highlights include Bingo Night, Movie Night, Ice Cream Socials, and Family Yoga sessions.

In the Middle School, student-centered events like game and movie nights keep the energy high year-round. A beloved tradition is our Mosaic Coffeehouse, held twice a year, where the community gathers to celebrate student talent in vocal and instrumental performance, as well as poetry. To cap off the Middle School experience, our eighth graders embark on a "mystery bus" adventure each spring—an off-campus trip where the local destination remains a closely guarded secret until they arrive.

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All School Events

A large group of students and adults are gathered on a polished wooden floor in a gymnasium, with a stage and bleachers visible in the background.

First Chapel

A wonderful tradition to kick off the start of the school year. The Head of School welcomes students back to school by presenting the year's theme and introducing the faculty.

Children enjoy a thrilling ride on a carnival attraction in the foreground, with a building and trees visible in the background.

Derby Fair

This event is open to the entire Derby community as well as the public! Coordinated by the Derby Family Connect, the day includes amusement rides, games, arts & crafts, bouncy houses, food trucks, and more!

Three young women wearing blue and white cheerleading uniforms and holding pom-poms are posing together in what appears to be a gymnasium or sports facility.

Spirit Days

Spirit Days take place in the fall, winter, and spring and are a time for the community to come out and support our athletic teams. Join us to cheer on our athletes, purchase Derby gear, and connect with friends!

A young girl in a floral dress rides a pink inflatable unicorn in the foreground, while a crowd of people in costumes fills the background.

Halloween Parade

A spooktastic family event for the entire Derby community. All students are encouraged to scare up their most creative costumes for this lively annual parade!

Students stand at a podium in front of a banner in a gymnasium filled with an audience.

Gathering of Thanks

An annual tradition held in November, this event gathers the Derby community to reflect on what we are grateful for. It includes short presentations and performances by our faculty and students.

A woman in a red dress directs a choir of children holding snowflake cutouts on a stage with purple curtains and festive decorations in the background.

Winter Concerts

Each division has a unique way of celebrating the season through musical and dramatic performances. Families are welcome and highly encouraged to attend!

A young girl in a blue tutu and leggings jumps with a balloon between her legs, while other children and adults watch in a gymnasium.

Pep Rally

One of the most anticipated events of the year, our annual Pep Rally is held every winter and features fun and games for all students Pre-K to 8!

In the foreground, a young hockey player in a yellow and black jersey is being pulled on a red sled by an older player in a blue jersey, while in the background, other children skate on an ice rink with spectators watching.

Polar Bear Skate

A joyful event for the entire family, all students, siblings, and parents and guardians are invited to skate with us at the Pilgrim Ice Arena! Held annually each winter, it is one of the most anticipated events of the year.

Children in blue shirts and face paint run in a grassy field with trees in the background.

Field Days

The Lower and Middle Schools hold a Field Day event each spring. The days are packed with friendly competition in traditional events like the egg and spoon and potato sack races as well as athletic events including hurdles and long jump. Middle School Field Day culminates in an exciting Derbies vs. Toppers tug-of-war.

A choir of children in white dresses and suits stands on risers in front of a banner that reads %22DERBY ACADEMY,%22 while an adult in a blue floral dress faces them from the foreground.

All School Choral Concert

All students Pre-K to Grade 8 perform in this end of year concert prior to our Grade 8 Commencement festivities. All families are welcome to attend.

A parade with bagpipers and flag bearers marches down a wet street lined with trees and spectators holding umbrellas.

Derby Day

The final day of the school year culminates with an all-school procession from campus to the New North Church for our 8th Grade Commencement ceremony.

 

Spirit Teams

Led by their Spirit Captains, Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of school-spirited activities throughout the year to earn points for their Spirit team—Derbies or Toppers—culminating each year at Field Day. With the points they've collected during the year, the teams then compete for additional points in a series of thrilling events like the three-legged race, shuttle runs, hurdles, and other exciting Field Day activities, all leading up to the highly anticipated Tug of War. School spirit shines and the Spirit Team with the most points wins. A tradition that dates back to 1953, Field Day is one of the highlights of the year for students.

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In the foreground, several women with blonde hair are smiling and looking to the side, while the background shows blurred figures and a bright, open space.

Parents & Caregivers

Derby is, above all else, a community—one that emphasizes the participation of students, staff, and parents. Whether you join a Pre-Kindergarten class for a cooking lesson, chaperone a field trip, or work behind the scenes at the Derby Fair, you'll have ample opportunity to contribute to your child's learning environment and to become a member of a unique community.